~ The World at your feet ~

Marco Polo in Amsterdam

Our guide books have been around the world but this time we got to go with them!

Amsterdam remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe and summer is the peak tourist season in this idyllic Dutch metropolis. That is why we decided to take to the streets of Amsterdam and give out exactly one hundred copies of our Marco Polo Amsterdam Pocket Guide.

Marco Polo in Amsterdam

On Thursday, July 6, 2017, we parked ourselves outside the beautiful Amsterdam Central Station with a suitcase full of books. The station area is a great place for finding tourists as the train connection between Amsterdam and the airport is the preferred method of getting to the city for many travellers.

Marco Polo’s own Hayley and Senja ready to hand out some guides

A suitcase full of guides

With guide books in our hands we set to the task. Soon we spotted our first travellers who at first couldn’t believe that we were giving the books away just like that, no strings attached! Well lucky them, this time the lunch – or the book as it were – was free. In no time, there were dozens of tourists, ready to explore the city with their new Amsterdam Pocket Guides.

How to really experience Amsterdam: on a bike with the Marco Polo Amsterdam Pocket Guide

We were looking to find as many tourists as we could so we had plopped our suitcase down next to a map of Amsterdam. Of course, it turned out to be a great place to come across tourists as even in this age of smartphones and Google Maps, nothing beats a real map. In our bright yellow Marco Polo shirts, we looked every bit the knowledgeable travel guide and were bombarded with questions. Fortunately, we had some real Amsterdam insiders with us who were more than happy to share their tips on how to best get around the city. The pull-out maps that come with our pocket guides were also welcomed with great enthusiasm.

Even in the age of smartphones and Google Maps, nothing beats a map

After only a little more than an hour, our suitcase was empty and all of our pocket guides were on their way to exciting Amsterdam adventures with their new owners. We had many lovely encounters with people from all over the world, all excited and ready to enjoy their trip. We hope that our Amsterdam pocket guides came in handy and helped people to experience the city to the max!

Flipping through the pages of their new pocket guide

Our Marco Polo team got plenty of attention

We had a lovely time in the sunny Amsterdam, and if you wish to see more of our Amsterdam adventure, check out the short video below!